I'm so sorry for the lack of updates! I'm so stressed right now! Forgive me! I be trying!
Ok, in this chapter my own character makes her debut! I don't own anything else though!
To my reviewers:
AngelTears15-I forbid you to read my story if you must gloat!!! Darn you and your 40 freakin 6 reviews! My story's better so there! nyah! :p
Fantasy-Seal- Yay! Thank you for the compliment! You're so much nicer than some pple...glares at AngleTears But yeah, I've just got so many couples going in this story that I can only do like one per chapter. But Kagura and Sesshy heat up a bit.....Thanks for reviewing and keep it up!
Goddess-Of-Anime- I love your reveiw! I know how ya feel w/ur closest friends bein guys...don't it just suck when they blame you? And the adults actually believe the lying little buggers? Yeah, thanks for the spelling corrections. I'll need your help on a couple of other words too. Do you know how to spell Kagurumaru and Juurumaru's names???? They're coming in this chapter.....
Chapter 10: A new foe and a relationship grows.
Miroku awoke sluggishly the next morning, not wanting to face the day. He stole a glance at his love, Sango. He needed to tell her how he felt before it was too late. But not now. He watched her in fascination; the way she flexed her slender, strong body, the way her eyelashes fluttered seductively, innocently, beautifully against her tanned cheeks. My god, had a more beautiful woman ever lived?
Inuyasha was thinking about the same thing as Miroku as he watched his future mate, Kagome, begin to make preparations for the day ahead. His fingers itched to run through her ebony tresses, to trace the delicate jawline, to kiss the soft, tender lips and relish in their taste once more. Her scent was slowly driving him to madness, she seemed to be coming into heat......dammit.........Kagome....
Another set of golden eyes rested upon a raven-haired sorceress as she gently shook a sleepy Rin out of bed. Why did she have to be so perfect? A tantalizing smell, silky, shimmering hair, flashing ruby eyes, exotic in their uniqueness, pale, perfect skin, a dazzling smile, and to top it off, she was a demon Rin had come to love as much as she adored him. He had to make her his. That was all there was to it. But was he ready to take a mate? Did he want to? Would she be willing?
Totousai watched them all in amusement. Oh, he saw the relationships building, and the nerves of the monk, and it just made him smile in contentment. Ah, young love. He remembered his own love; it was one of the few things he remembered in his old age. His 3 eyed bull, Momo, remembered his beautiful mate as well. Oh, to be young and in love! He watched the couples merrily, wishing them all the luck he could. They would certainly need it. There was a great danger coming; he could sense it as well as Miroku.
With everyone joining in, it didn't take long for them to be on their way once more. Never in their wildest dreams did they know what they would encounter. It was along a lonely, dusty forest trail that she made an appearance.
She stepped out of the tree she had been joined with, Naraku watching from the branches.Her outfit was much like Kagura's, exept with all of the colors of nature; Green, Blue, Light Purple, and Fire red. Her eyes were gray; her hair a matching shade of silver. She was young and beautiful, yet her expression was cold and unyeilding. On her back there was a spear, on her hip a sword. She also held a hammer similar to master Totousai's, but was smaller. She also possessed a shield.
"Are you Inuyasha?" Her voice would have been beautiful, like a sunlight grove, a crackling fire, a playful breeze, or a gentle stream if it wasn't for the lack of emotion in it. The group stood silently, watching her, waiting for Inuyasha to respond. But then Naraku jumped to the ground.
"Eep! I-it's Naraku!" Shippo squeaked. Rin ducked behind Kagura. Kirara transformed, Sango and Miroku clutched thier weapons tightly, while Kagome grasped her bow and Arrows.
"Inuyasha. Meet Yuriko. The face of death for you. " Beneath his baboon pelt, he smirked. Oh this would be fun. So their little group was larger; he would still kill them all eventually. But now he had a trump card; This Demon Sorceress, capabable of controlling all of the elements, not just one like Kagura. He had backup too; Juruumuru and Kagarumaru, and Kanna of the Void. Now he would kill Inuyasha and his little group. Oh, revenge was so sweet. If he played his cards right....
"You will not win this battle Alive, Inuyasha. " And with that, he dissapeared, but in his wake a swarm of poisen insects flew. Damn him to hell. Miroku was rendered nearly powerless. But, fortunatly, they did have Sesshoumaru.
"Annoying invertabrates." The demon lord muttered while killing off almost the entire bug population with one swing of the mighty Tokijin. Kagura blew the rest of them away easily. All the while their new opponent watched in silence. And Naraku simply watched smugly to see what would happen.
Now the sorceress name Yuriko stepped forward. "My quarrel is with Inuyasha and the Miko Kagome. I have no wish to harm anyone else."
"Like Hell you'll touch Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, leaping at her.
"Inuyasha!" Cried Shippo, while Kagome and company looked on in horror.
They watched as with a mere flick of her wrist created a barrier of fire in front of her, sending Inuyasha flying back, burned badly and moaning in pain. Kagome was at his side in an instant, pulling out some herbs and chanting, using her Priestess power to heal him quickly. She didn't get to finish.
"You must be Kagome." Yuriko stated, picking her up by the throat with one hand.
"Kagome! " Cried Sango, Kagura, and Miroku, rushing forward.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango yelled, releasing the Boomerang.
"Dance of the Dead!" The wind sorceress yelled, and a dead japanese fighter appeared, rushing at Yuriko.
Yuriko eyed all of this calmly, easily deflecting each attack. The Boomerang was swept away harmlessly by a strong tree limb, and the Samuri was melted away by a rush of phantom water. Sesshoumaru chose that moment to attack with his laser whip.
Lash after lash he fired, while she blocked using just one hand. Meanwhile Miroku was waiting for an opening to use his wards in. The little pieces of paper actually had immense spiritual power, and could easily defeat or purify a lesser demon. as it was, when he flung the things at her, they sizzled on her skin. The only reaction he got was a light hiss of pain, and Sesshoumaru managed to get in a shot. Suddenly Inuyasha was up, hearing Kagome struggle against the elemental Sorceress's grip. Yuriko didn't notice due to the distractions surrounding her, so he was able to slash her arm enough to get her to hiss in pain and release her grip on Kagome.
Holding Kagome, he lept back as Kagome gasped for air.
"Kagome! Are you alright!" Shippo yelled anxiously, running up to her.
She coughed once, but answered. "Yeah, I'm fine. We've gotta destroy her! " She grabbed her bow for emphasis, taking aim with it. Inuyasha, knowing she would be okay, lept towards their new opponent. He was going to give it one more distraction in order for Kagome to get in a good shot.
"Hey Bitch!" He screamed, rushing towards her with Tetsaiga drawn. "You're gonna pay for that!"
"I highly doubt that, Inuyasha." She said calmly, still battling and now trying to aviod Shippo's Foxfire as well as the whip and Kagura's Wind Blades. She was gritting her teeth with the effort, but hadn't even broken a sweat as of yet.
"Wind Scar!" He hadn't meant for it to actually hit her, but it did, and she screamed in pain as the firey golden lines ripped through her skin. Kagome Fired as well, but missed. The damage was done, however. She lay, barely even breathing on the ground. Her eyes were glazed as if she was dying. Yet she still stood. Now she was breathing heavily.
"This isn't over yet, Inuyasha. " Her gaze flickered towards Kagome. "I'll be back for you as well." She glanced over everyone who had attacked her. "As for the rest of you, I'm afraid you will have to die for your interference." She didn't sound the least bit remorseful. And with that, she sprouted wings and flew away. Just like that. Naraku had vanished a long time ago.
"Damn Naraku." Inuyasha muttered. Kagome laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, we'll get him." The group watched her fly away until she was naught but a little speck in the distance.
"Hey, where's Totosai?" Sango asked suddenly. The group looked around, then fixed icy glares on the man standing next to them.
"And just where have you been, ya old codger?" Inuyasha asked, growling.
He gave his best impression of innocence. "Did I miss something?" The group fell over in exasperation; all except for Sesshoumaru, who merely twitched his lips. He glanced at the sky. His only thought was: 'If he can create something like that, than how strong is he really? Has he merely been toying with us this whole time?' He glanced at the sky again. It was already darkening. They best make camp while they still could.
"TOTOUSAI!" They screamed as they watched the old man suck up the wild turkey that had just finished cooking. Sango, Inuyasha, and Miroku looked Murderous. "Now what the hell are we supposed to eat?" Inuyasha screamed.
"Hm, well that does put you into a bit of a dilemma, doesn't it?"He said, scratching his head with his index finger.
"Why you...." Inuyasha growled, clenching his fists, a vien popping out in his forhead
"Don't worry Inuyasha. I brought some Ramen back." Kagome said in a teasing, sing-song voice.
Inuyasha perked. "Ramen? Feh. Alright, yer off the hook old man. but next time I ain't gonna be quite so nice, got it?" He shot his famous glare at Totousai. Totousai cringed.
'I don't know who to be more afraid of; Sesshoumaru or Inuyasha.' He thought sarcastically, looking at the brothers, who were once again watching their respectful women. Inuyasha watched Kagome eagerly as she rummaged around in that immensly large bag of hers. With a triumphant "Ah hah!" She pulled out the square packages of Ramen, with several bowls.
"You will have to get a few more bowls from Kaede, Inuyasha. I'm afraid we don't have enough to go around." Kagome told him with a smile.
"Let em starve! That Ramen's all mine, ya hear!" He gave a death glare at everyone in camp.
"Inuyasha! They have to eat too!" The girl chastised him lightly. Suddenly Sesshoumaru appeared next to the arguing couple.
"Here." He said boredly, dropping a large deer at their feet. He moved away again.
Kagome quickly recovered from her shock, immediatly making plans for the deer. "Inuyasha, can you help Miroku skin and prepare this? Now we'll have enough for everybody!" Grumbling something about stupid half brothers, Inuyasha grabbed the deer, and Miroku trailed along behind him. With both of them combined, the deer was swiftly skinned and roasting in a matter of minutes. Not one of them bothered to break the silence that hovered over the camp. Even the lively Rin and Shippo had fallen silent for the time being. Everyone was pondering this new, powerful opponent with the emotionless silver eyes.
Inuyasha's powerful attack was nearly useless, merely injuring her; but left her still standing. Miroku's wards had merely been a nuisance to her; and Sesshoumaru's whip an annoyance. How were they supposed to defeat someone with that kind of strength? So they sat, pondering their fate and destinies until one by one, sleep claimed them all.
Naraku's Fortress
"You have failed me, Yuriko" Naraku said, a hint of a smirk in his voice.
"I am sorry, mi'lord. It won't happen again. " Yuriko responded, carfully keeping herself into the passive fetal ball postion she was in on the floor.
Naraku smirked. "It's alright. This was merely a test of your strenth, and to get you accustomed to your opponents. Next time, you will not be alone. I will send Kanna and.."
"Excuse me my lord," she inturupted, "But I would rather defeat them on my own." She was burning with shame over her defeat, and knew that only by killing them herself could she salve her wounded pride.
Naraku looked at her emotionlessly. "As you wish." He looked away from her. "You may leave."
She stood, bowing low to her master. "Thank you, Mi' Lord." And with that, she left the room.
"Proud wench." Naraku grumbled as the door closed.
Behind the door, Yuriko sighed and slumped against the hard wooden entrance to his chamber. "Damn him." She muttered. Standing straight once more, she made her way to the staircase leading to the dungeon. Grabbing the keys off the wall, she entered the dank, dark room. A Torch flickered on at her command and she used it's light to show her the way to the cages on the far wall. In one, was the pale Juuromaru, In the other, the snake-like Kagarumaru.(A/N: Spelling?)
Ignoring Kagaruumaru's hiss of hostility at her, she knelt in front of Juurumaru, who looked at her steadily between the bars. Ever since Kagerumaru had unvieled his presence, Naraku had kept them separated for unknown reasons. Maybe to make it more torturous when he rejoined with Juurumaru, since Juurumaru hated being controlled, and Kagarumaru hated their master and everyone in the entire universe.
Juurumaru had been there when Naraku had created Yuriko. Without Kagarumaru, Naraku found him easy to control, and fun for himself, seeing as how much Juurumaru hated being under his control. It had been Juurumaru who had clothed to newly made Yuriko, the one who provided her with food, the one who had fallen in love with her.
Yuriko returned the feeling wholeheartedly. That was the main reason she wished to fight alone; she didn't want to put her love in danger. She looked at him, staring deep into his eyes. (What color are his eyes, anyways?) While she had sworn loyalty to Naraku, and didn't care if he lived or died, Her love wanted him dead for the things he had done to him. So she silently cheered on her opponents.
Reaching through the bars, Juurumaru grasped her hand in his clammy, strong, reassuring grip. She touched his hand to her face as a tear silently made a trail from her eye to her chin. Gently Juurumaru brushed it away with his thumb, looking at her with a tenderness and love that was out of place in Naraku's fortress. The steel mask he wore was off, but the green poisen that he seemed to drool was gone. He only allowed his opponents to see it in order to intimidate or freak them out; and occasionally to kill. But now he had it gone, and she found herself looking at his pale lips. The reason he was so pale was because of Naraku; he kept them locked up down here all the time. It wasn't fair! Tentatively she reached her face towards his. Trembling, he leaned forward as well, gently meeting her lips nervously, shyly. This was their first kiss; it was sweet, soft, and full of longing.
They so badly and desperately wanted to hold each other, to keep each other close forever; but they knew it could never be. Softly they pulled apart, gazing at each other sorrowfully. If only Naraku wasn't in the way! Then they could be together! But they had both sworn allegience to him! That was the only good thing about Kageruumaru; he was very willing to kill Naraku if he got the chance.
"Juurumaru." She whispered, watching him closely.
His eyes radiated warmth and love as he spoke her name; "Yuriko."
Gently they met again for another kiss. This Time, Juurumaru asked for entrance inside her mouth; entrance she gladly gave. A fire broke loose in her viens; her grip on Juurumaru's hand tightened as she lost herself in the battle of tongues.
Juurumaru almost moaned in his painful ectstasy. He wanted to hold her, to crush her to him; to never let her go. But this was as close as he could get to her. Mere words could not describe how much he wanted their freedom so that they could be together! Damn Naraku and Kagerumaru to hell! Silently she pulled away, gazing into her love's eyes before parting, pulling apart slowly, never breaking eye contact until she closed the door to the celler again, leaving him in his dismal thoughts.
Kanna of the void
The small albino girl, slipped stealthily around the corner, her blank eyes looking around cautiously. Slowly she slipped into a nearby room, where one lonely figure huddled in a dark corner by himself.
"Kohaku." She said softly, calling him to her.
He looked up, watching the girl approach with those blank eyes. A glimmer, a light entered into them when she kneeled in front of him. "Kanna." He said softly, giving her a hug; a hug she returned in full.
"What happened today?" Kohaku asked, curiousity lighting his eyes.
"He sent that new servant, Yuriko, out to kill Inuyasha and Kagome. Yuriko failed, but Naraku was unphased by that."
Kohaku took in the news calmly. He knew every one of Naraku's tricks and motives, and wanted to know about the face of the girl he couldn't forget. "What about the demon slayer?"
Kanna looked at him calmly. "No one was hurt in their group. They have made new allies and are now more powerful than before. They have Totousai, Sesshoumaru, and Kagura."
His eyes gave away his surprise. "Well, that will make things harder for Naraku, now won't it?" He said dryly, knowing full well that his master would kill him if he ever got the chance to hurt the girl that cared for him that much.
Kanna looked at him sypathetically. "If it makes you feel any better, Yuriko has requested to kill them on her own, without any help."
"Why?"
"Naraku believes it is because her pride was wounded over her defeat today."
"That's not the reason?"
"No one except Naraku thinks so."
"So what's the real reason, then?"
"Juurumaru."
"She loves that monster?"
Kanna looked at him sharply. "Juurumaru is no more a monster than you or I. He is simply controlled by Naraku because of his strength."
"Oh."
The pair fell silent, brooding over the recent events. After a few moments passed, the girl stood. "I have been here too long. Good-bye for now, Kohaku."
"Good -bye Kanna." With a nod at him, she walked out of the room, leaving him once more to his thoughts. Why can't I forget that face? The face of that Demon Slayer? An image of Sango swirled in his mind, of her smiling, laughing, caring for him. Why does she still haunt me? Why must she be the only thing I remember? His thoughts swirled in confusion as he succumbed to sleep.